Gil Meche pitched seven shut out innings allowing just five hits and a walk while striking out four as the Royals handled the first place Rays another road loss.
Meche needed to live up to a promise. Before the game he told his catcher John Buck that he would pitch a good game if he could shave Buck’s head. Buck, doing anything to help his pitching staff agreed to have his blonde longs shaved.
Ron Mahay gave up one run in the 8th and Joakim Soria gave up a run, but struck out Eric Hinske, the tying run at the plate.
Not only did the shaved head help the pitchers, but it helped Buck’s bat. After Ross Gload singled in Alex Gordon, Buck drove in two with a double in a three run third.
